Ernie Els British Open preview

The South African has twice finished second in the Masters and twice in third place in the US PGA Championship. His US Open record includes victories in 1994 and 1997 plus two runner-up spots.  He has been in the top-10 in The Open no less than 12 times, including twice in second and twice in third place, plus victory at Muirfield in 2002.  That success came after a four-man tie and five extra holes.  Australians Stuart Appleby and Steve Elkington were eliminated after four holes and Thomas Levet of France lost out to Els in an extra hole of sudden death.  The big South African with a lazy, powerful swing was involved in another play-off for the Championship two years later at Royal Troon where he lost to unheralded American Todd Hamilton.

Els has 12 top 10s in 21 starts at the British with that one victory. Includes a T2 (1996) and T3 (2001) at Royal Lytham & St. Annes. Never outstanding statistically other than with his record. Five top 10s in his last 11 starts worldwide in 2012.

As a youngster he showed a talent for tennis, rugby, cricket and golf but decided to concentrate on golf after reaching scratch at the age of 14. He spent a record 756 weeks in the top-10 of the Official World Golf Ranking.  He has won the World Match Play Championship seven times.  In 1999 he formed a foundation for disadvantaged children and, when his son Ben was diagnosed with autism, he established the Els for Autism Foundation in 2009.  He has a large portfolio of golf course designs and produces award-winning wine.

Age: 42.

Country: South Africa.

World ranking: 40.

Worldwide wins: 62.

Majors: U.S. Open (1994, 1997), British Open (2002).

At his best in 2012: Came within one shot of joining a sudden-death playoff at Innisbrook.

At his worst in 2012: Badly missed a 4-foot birdie putt on the 16th and a 4-foot par putt on the 18th at Innisbrook.

British Open moment: Saving par from a bunker on the 77th hole at Muirfield in 2002 to win his lone claret jug.

Overview: He can never be counted out on links golf, especially at Royal Lytham. He tied for second in 1996 and tied for third in 2001. The Big Easy got a big shot of confidence with a gallant run at the U.S. Open. A win puts him in distinguished company of players with multiple wins in U.S. and British Open — Jones, Hagen, Nicklaus, Trevino, Woods.

WagerWeb.com odds to win: +3000

Tee times (Thursday-Friday Eastern time): 4:09 a.m.-9:10 a.m. —Darren Clarke, Els, Zach Johnson.

Year     pos       r1         r2         r3         r4         total

2011                72        76                                148

2010    86        69        79                                148

2009    8          69        72        72        68        281

2008    7          80        69        74        69        292

2007    4          72        70        68        69        279

2006    3          68        65        71        71        275

2005    34        74        67        75        70        286

2004    2          69        69        68        68        274

2003    18        78        68        72        72        290

2002    1          70        66        72        70        278

2001    3          71        71        67        69        278

2000    2          66        72        70        69        277

1999    24        74        76        76        72        298

1998    29        72        74        74        72        292

1997    10        75        69        69        69        282

1996    2          68        67        71        67        273

1995    11        71        68        72        75        286

1994    24        69        69        69        71        278

1993    6          68        69        69        68        274

1992    5          66        69        70        74        279

1989 (A)          98        72        76

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